Catherine Canty
Psychology, Liberty University
ENGL 201
Professor, Sarah Horne
September 12, 2022
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Smith vs. Bradford vs. Winthrop: Historians Legends
William Bradford, an historian, and literary writer was born in Austerfield, northern
England, at a year old he lost his father William, with his mother soon leaving after, which
prompt him in being raised by his grandfather and uncles. Being educated and trained to be a
farmer Bradford was inspired by the Bible at a young age, he “was deeply moved by the
preaching of Richard Clyfton, an Anglican priest in nearby parish who was seeking to reform,
the church of England” (Belasco & Johnson, 2014), which later he devoted himself to the
interests and welfare of a devout group of Separatists he called “Pilgrims” “their pilgrimage was
not simply spiritual; it also became an arduous physical journey in quest of place where they
could establish a church and worship God (Belasco & Johnson, 2014). During this time, at the
age of 18, Bradford with his church fled from England in fear of persecution, arriving in
Amsterdam in 1608, he later migrated with the church to the town of Leiden, Holland, where
they lived for eleven years. (Mayflower (n.d.). In Leiden, Bradford learned the arts of silk
weaver to make ends meet. Bradford returned to Amsterdam in 1613 to marry 16-year old
Dorothy May who would become his first wife, they had a son in Leiden named John born about
William Bradford, John Smith, and John Winthrop are three men who’ve committed their
life to achieving and establishing their writings as historians and literary writers. During their
time, these men wrote about their early encounters and exploration which would later become an
important part of history and literature. Since Bradford, Smith, and Winthrop has written records
of what occurred during their experience, although similar in certain aspects, as individuals these
men came across some differences.
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William Bradford
Smith vs. Bradford vs. Winthrop: Historian Legends
John Smith, a captain, soldier, and explorer. Smith was born in Willoughby, England in
1580, becoming America’s first important historian. Smith father a successful farmer wanted him
to return to the farm, but Smith had other dreams he wanted to achieve. After his father’s death,
Smith traveled as a solider visiting many places such as France, Scotland, and Greece. In 1607,
Smith arrived in Virginia to found Jamestown, the new colony struggled with food shortages and
disease, and in the fall of 1607, Smith began conducting expeditions to Native American villages
to secure food, Smith was captured by a Powhatan hunting party and brought before the Chief
Powhatan, Wahunsenacawh, the leader of most of the indigenous. (History, 2022). Smith
encountered Pocahontas who according to him saved his life, he was released and escorted back
to Jamestown. In 1608, Smith was elected president of Jamestown’s council instilling discipline
among the settlers, enforcing the rule “He who will not work shall not eat” (History.com, n.d.).
The colony grow strong and begin to thrive under Smith leadership. Also, in 1608, he published
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1615. By 1620, the church set off for American on the Mayflower, Bradford and his wife joined
leaving their son behind. The Mayflower anchored off Provincetown Harbor at the tip of Cape
Cod, Bradford wife accidentally fell overboard and drowned. After John Carver death in 1621,
Bradford took his place as the elected governor. In 1623, he married his second wife widowed
Alice Carpenter, and had a marriage feast reminiscent of the “First Thanksgiving” with a large
number of Indians joining. (Mayflower History, n.d.). Bradford was head of the government of
Plymouth, in 1630, he started writing a history of the Plymouth Colony, now published under the
title Of Plymouth Plantation. William Bradford died, at the age of 68 on May 9, 1657, his history
or work was the only works of a Mayflower passenger.
John Smith
John Winthrop, had a different childhood he was born to wealth landowners in 1588.
Different from Smith and Bradford, Winthrop was well educated, and he attended a university.
“At age 17 he married the first of his four wives, Mary Forth, and the next year the first of his 16
children was born” (Dunn, 2022). Winthrop had Puritan convictions that faced pressure and
welfare of the Massachusetts Bay Colonial, during this time he “believed that God will bring
some heavy Allfiction upon this lande” (Belasco & Johnson, 2014). Overtime he began a journal
that was later published and known as The History of New England from 1630 to 1649.
Winthrop piece of literature offers records of day-today activities, successes and the Puritan
Worldview and penal system.
a letter in London “A True Relation of Such Occurrences and Accidents of Note as Hath
Happened in Virginia” (Belasco & Johnson, 2014). Since, Smith unpopular leadership in
Virginia; in 1614, Smith sailed to New England to conduct a survey for the establishment of a
new colony (Belasco & Johnson, 2014) there he was captured by pirates, during his capture, he
wrote A Description of New England (Belasco & Johnson, 2014). Smith offered his service as a
guide to the Pilgrims voyage, but he was not consider to be sufficiently religious (Belasco &
Johnson, 2014). Smith went on to publish more work such as, New England’s Trails, his
Generall Historie of Virginia, the Summer Isles an autobiography, The True Travels,
Adventures, and Observations of Captaine John Smith and many more. Smith died in London on
June 21, 1631.
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Conclusion
John Winthrop
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These three men, William Bradford, John Smith and John Winthrop although different in many
ways became important to American Literature. Although Bradford and Winthrop both talked
about their journeys and the effect God had on them. Smith writing talked more about his heroic
encounters and what he achieved but you may find some reference to God. Without these three
men, Bradford, Smith, and Winthrop we would not of the knowledge of what occurred during the
colonial periods of American literature.
Belasco, Susan, and Linck Johnson (2014). The Bedford Anthology of American Literature:
Liberty University English 201 Custom E-Book. 2nd., vol 1, Bedford St. Martin’s.
Dunn, R.S. (2022). John Winthrop. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Winthrop-American-colonial-governor
Johnson, C. (n.d.). William Bradford. Bradford-William — MayflowerHistory.com
History.com. (2022) John Smith.
https://www.history.com/topics/colonial-america/john-smith
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References
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